Modal Example Uses Can They can control their own budgets. We can’t fix it. Can I smoke here? Can you help me? Ability / Possibility Inability / Impossibility Asking for permission Request Could Could I borrow your dictionary? Could you say it again more slowly? We could try to fix it ourselves. I think we could have another Gulf War. He gave up his old job so he could work for us. Asking for permission. Request Suggestion Future possibility Ability in the past May May I have another cup of coffee? China may become a major economic power. Asking for permission Future possibility Might We'd better phone tomorrow, they might be eating their dinner now. They might give us a 10% discount. Present possibility Future possibility Must We must say good-bye now. They mustn’t disrupt the work more than necessary. Necessity / Obligation Prohibition Ought to We ought to employ a professional writer. Saying what’s right or correct Shall (More common in the UK than the US) Shall I help you with your luggage? Shall we say 2.30 then? Shall I do that or will you? Offer Suggestion Asking what to do Should We should sort out this problem at once. I think we should check everything again. Profits should increase next year. Saying what’s right or correct Recommending action Uncertain prediction Will I can’t see any taxis so I’ll walk. I'll do that for you if you like. I’ll get back to you first thing on Monday. Profits will increase next year. Instant decisions Offer Promise Certain prediction Would Would you mind if I brought a colleague with me? Would you pass the salt please? Would you mind waiting a moment? "Would three o`clock suit you?" - "That’d be fine." Would you like to play golf this Friday? "Would you prefer tea or coffee?" - "I’d like tea please." Asking for permission Request Request Making arrangements Invitation Preferences

How about you study these yourself first, then ask for help? Teaching this stuff from scratch is a challenge for anyone. Might I point out that these verbs are not called "modals" in Chinese. Most course books will point this out.

Hi Saram. All the auxiliary verbs except be, do and have are called modals. Unlike other auxiliary verbs modals only exist in their helping form; they cannot act alone as the main verb in a sentence. Be, do, and have also differ from the other auxiliaries in that they can also serve as ordinary verbs in a given sentence. The modal verbs are:- CAN / COULD / MAY / MIGHT / MUST / SHALL / SHOULD / OUGHT TO / WILL / WOULD

They sure are modal verbs, except maybe, which is even not a verb at all.

Just like how you use them in English, I guess.